Get Out: Aug. 5, 2010

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Posted Aug. 5, 2010 at 2:00 AM
Updated Aug 5, 2010 at 2:22 PM

Posted Aug. 5, 2010 at 2:00 AM
Updated Aug 5, 2010 at 2:22 PM

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Fremont-Winema National Forest hike

Saturday, Aug. 7: Easy, four-mile, round-trip hike along the eastern shore of Fourmile Lake. After climbing a small hill, the trail winds within a forested and meadow area, past Woodpecker and Badger Lakes, where bald eagles are often seen up close. This hike offers great views of Mount McLoughlin and provides an opportunity for your guide to discuss the flora and fauna of the Skylakes Wilderness and wilderness management practices. Meet at the Fourmile Lake campground trailhead, approximately 50 minutes west of Klamath Falls off Highway 140 on Forest Service Road 3661. Drive to Fourmile Lake campground and follow signs to the trailhead. There is no fee required to park at the trailhead.

KS Wild hikes

Saturday, Aug. 7: Siskiyou Crest Hike to Red Mountain. The Pacific Crest Trail around Red Mountain is one of the most unusual and spectacular hikes in our region and it is within an easy drive of Ashland. Red Mountain is a serpentine landscape, and its red rock slopes are home to an array of rare and endemic wildflowers. This is a moderate to strenuous hike of about six miles that involves some walking off trail.

Meet at 9 a.m. at Evo's Cafe in Ashland.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Rogue Riverkeeper will lead a hike along a portion of the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas pipeline where it traverses the Upper Rogue Watershed. The Jordan Cove/Pacific Connector LNG project would build an import terminal in Coos Bay and a 235-mile pipeline through the Coos, Coquille, Umpqua, Rogue and Klamath watersheds. Group will walk a portion of the pipeline route through the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and discuss the project's impacts on private land, public land, fish, wildlife, energy independence and surrounding communities. Call to RSVP at 541-488-5789.

Saturday, Oct. 9: Hike to see salmon jumping Rainie Falls on the Rogue on their way back from the ocean. The hike to Rainie Falls is an easy to moderate 4.5-mile hike through low-elevation forest. Meet at 9 a.m. at Evo's in Ashland or at the Rainie Falls trailhead at the base of the bridge where Grave's Creek enters the Rogue at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, Aug. 8: Local naturalist Kristi Mergenthaler will lead a half-day wildflower walk to the lush alpine meadows of Mount Ashland. Organized by Northwest Nature Shop, the hike will include magnificent views, information on plant species and plant identification techniques. Meet at Northwest Nature Shop, 154 Oak St., Ashland, at 9:30 a.m. to carpool. Cost is $10. Call 541-482-3241 to sign up.

Lithia Park walks

Through Sept. 29: Free, guided walks in Ashland's Lithia Park, sponsored by the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department. The walks take about 90 minutes. Walks leave at 10 a.m. every Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday from the Plaza entrance.

Steens Rim Run and Walk

Saturday, Aug. 7: The 28th annual Chris Miller Memorial Steens Rim Run and Walk starts at an elevation of 7,835 feet on the Steens Mountain Loop Road near Jackman Park Campground and finishes above 9,700 feet at the East Rim Overlook. The walk and run begin at 9:30 and 10 a.m., respectively. For more information, call Nick Miller at 541-413-1997 or go online at www.steensrimrun.com.

Mount Ashland Hillclimb Run

Saturday, Aug. 7: Registration is closed for the 33rd annual event that begins in Lithia Park and climbs 13.3 miles to the Mount Ashland summit, for a total of 5,600 feet of climbing. Spectators can watch the 250 runners start at 7:30 a.m., or plan to watch the grueling finish on the mountain. The fastest runners will start coming in about 9:15 or so and others will continue until around noon.

River Run

Saturday, Aug. 14: Race along the Rogue River in Gold Hill features 5K and 10K runs and a 5K walk. Starting time is 8 a.m. Early registration is $10 until Aug. 7 ($7 for Southern Oregon Runners members). Race-day registration is $13 for all. For details, call race director Bruce Timmerman at 541-664-0777.

Pine to Palm 100-mile Endurance Run

Saturday, Sept. 18: The 100-mile course starts in Williams and winds its way east through the mountains on a mixture of single-track trails and dirt roads to the finish line in Ashland. The route covers more than 20,000 feet of climbing and descents, including three climbs up to and over 7,000 feet. Entry fee is $275 before Sept. 1, $300 after. Online registration only, through UltraSignUp.com. Entry is limited to the first 200 applications. For more information, go to www.roguevalleyrunners.com.

Siskiyou Challenge

Saturday, Sept. 25: This five-leg, multi-sport event traces a 46-mile circle around Ashland, exploring the city's parks, the surrounding countryside and Emigrant Lake. Legs include an 11K run, a 3K lake kayak, a 25-mile road-bike tour, a 9-mile mountain-bike loop and a 5K run. Racers may enter solo or in teams of two to five racers. While athletes are circling Ashland, a fun run/walk will circle the block of ScienceWorks and festivities will occur throughout the day, including local food, live music and massage. Registration deadline is Sept. 10. Entry fees range from $ 75 for solo racers to $350 for corporate-sponsored teams. For more information, go online to www.siskiyouchallenge.org.

Road biking

Every Saturday: A 20-mile ride begins at 10 a.m. at Cycle Sport in Medford. Ride leader is Alex Hayes: 541-857-0819.

Every Tuesday, women's rides, Grants Pass: From April through October, Bike Kraft hosts a weekly women's mountain bike ride that meets and leaves from its shop at 6 p.m. The rides last about two hours on average and accommodate many skill levels. Bike Kraft is at 785 Rogue River Hwy. Contact Richard Amneus: 541-476-4935 or bikekraft@yahoo.com.

Every Wednesday, Jacksonville: Sponsored by Cycle Analysis, these rides are for all ages and abilities and are group-oriented. They begin at 6:30 p.m. from Cycle Analysis, 535 N. Fifth St., Jacksonville, and include the John's Peak trail system. Every ride ends with free refreshments supplied by Cycle Analysis. Helmets are required. Contact Jana Jenson at 541-899-9190, or e-mail cyclea@internetcds.com.

Every Wednesday, Grants Pass: BikeKraft hosts a weekly ride that meets and leaves at 6 p.m. from its shop, 785 Rogue River Highway. The rides last about two hours and accommodate many skill levels. Contact Richard Amneus at 541-476-4935 or check out www.bikekraft.com.

Every Thursday, Ashland: Ride organized by the crew at Ashland Cycle Sport, 191 Oak St., Ashland. Meet at the plaza in Ashland at 6:30 p.m. Riders of all abilities are welcome, but be able to climb for a few miles to reach the trails. Helmets are required. Contact Thom Kneeland, 541-476-4935, for further information or check out the Web site at www.roguecycle.com.

Every Thursday, Grants Pass: Don's Bike Center has a ride that starts at its shop at 5:30 p.m. Rides last about two hours and are tailored to intermediate to advanced riders. Don's is at 211 SW G St. Contact Don or Shawn at 541-471-3494.

Every Saturday, Grants Pass: The folks from Don's Bike Center meet at the Cathedral Hills trailhead on Espy Road at 7:30 a.m. for two hours of riding. Contact Don or Shawn at 541-471-3494.

Mount Ashland birdwalk

Saturday, Aug. 7: Klamath Bird Observatory birdwalk leader Vince Zauskey will lead a trip along the Mount Ashland access road to look for woodpeckers, flycatchers, warblers, green-tailed towhees, raptors and more. Many wildflowers will be in bloom. Wear sturdy shoes for a few miles of walking, and bring water and a lunch in case you'd like to eat on the mountain before heading home. Meet at 8 a.m. at Northwest Nature Shop in Ashland. Limited to 15 people. To register, call 541-482-3241.

Agate Lake birdwalk

Saturday, Aug. 14: Klamath Bird Observatory birdwalk leader Jeff Tufts will lead a walk to look for late-summer shorebirds such as greater yellowlegs, semipalmated plovers, long-billed dowitchers and various sandpipers and killdeer, as well as ducks, herons, gulls, woodpeckers and other fun species. Meet at 8 a.m. at Wild Birds Unlimited, 712 Crater Lake Ave., Medford. To register, call 541-770-1104.

Rogue Valley Audubon Society

Sunday, Aug. 15: Third-Sunday birdwalk on the Ashland section of the Bear Creek Greenway. Meet at the Ashland Dog Park, north end of Helman Street at 8 a.m. Wind up around noon. The walk is along a level, paved trail that follows Ashland Creek and then Bear Creek. Leader is Harry Fuller, 541-488-8077.

Wednesday, Sept. 1: First-Wednesday birdwalk along Little Butte Creek. Meet at 8:30 a.m. on TouVelle Road in the northeast section of the Denman Wildlife Area near White City. Leader is Denny Niebuhr, 541-482-6589 or rogueden@ashlandhome.net.

Birdwalk for kids

Saturday, Aug. 21: Klamath Bird Observatory will teach youngsters how to use binoculars and field guides to spot our local feathered friends. This fun-filled, interactive experience encourages future naturalists to learn about nature through games, stories, songs and outdoor activities. Meet at Northwest Nature Shop, 154 Oak St., Ashland, at 10 a.m. Sign up in advance at the store or call 541-482-3241.

Diet and Peak Performance

Sunday, Aug. 8: Tim VanOrden, an elite endurance athlete and creator of the Running Raw Project, will speak in Ashland about the effects of diet on peak performance. The program takes place at 7 p.m. at 472 Walker St., in Ashland. VanOrden, 42, began the Running Raw Project in 2005 with the goal of learning whether it is possible to be a top-performing athlete while eating a raw, vegan diet. Since beginning his training in 2006, he has finished first in 42 road, trail, snowshoe, mountain and stair-climb races, setting six course records in the process. The requested donation at the event is $10. A raw vegan potluck begins at 6 p.m. VanOrden will be running in the Mount Ashland Hillclimb Run on Aug. 7. For more information about the talk and potluck, contact Leslie DeLorean at 541-326-7600 or e-mail 3267600@gmail.com.

Sporting/Hunting Rifle Shoot

Saturday, Aug. 14: The Full-bore Rifle Shooters of Medford Rifle and Pistol Club will hold a rifle shoot at Public Range #7 of the Jackson County Sports Park at 8:30 a.m. The event will include prone, standing, sitting or kneeling shooting at 100 yard targets, and should be a good mid-summer way to improve your shooting ability in preparation for this year's hunting seasons. Entry fee is only $15, including the Rogue Valley Sporting Sports Association range fee and a barbecue lunch. Shooters should arrive at 8 a.m. Lunch will follow

the event. More information and an entry form for the event can be found at www.mrpc.info.

Gold Beach Brew and Art Festival bike ride

Saturday, Sept. 11: The Gold Beach festival has added a bike ride this year, with routes of 22, 33 and 62 miles. Registration will begin between 8 and 9 a.m. at the Curry County Fairgrounds on Highway 101. The route heads north to Jerry's Flat Road and then follows the Rogue River south bank. There will be aid stations at the Fairgrounds, Lobster Creek, 10 miles beyond Lobster Creek and at the Cougar Lane Parking lot. Cost of the ride is $35. Each rider will receive a t-shirt, number, refreshments, discount coupons to local restaurants and half off admission to the Brew and Art Festival. More information is available at www.goldbeachbiketherogue.org.